Hoder Watch January 27, 2011 4:18 PM Subscribe
Hoder Update? For the first time since before Christmas, Hoder's family has posted on their blog. There have been two updates today, and on the hoderderakhshan YouTube channel two videos (from 2007) have been uploaded.
I cannot read it (its in Persian, from what a previous poster said) - can someone detail what the update is?
I cannot read it (its in Persian, from what a previous poster said) - can someone detail what the update is?
Can somebody translate the translation?
posted by Gator at 5:40 PM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Gator at 5:40 PM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
From my Persian friend:
It looks like Hossein/Hoder's Canadian lawyer is dropping his case because the courts won't let the lawyer speak to Hoder and pursue any kind of reasonable defense. The courts also will not let Hoder represent himself and are pursuing the sentencing without hearing any testimony. Seems like the family was just informing the public of this. They also said that Mehdi Khalaji (one of the journalists that Hoder posted about) is suing Hoder for $1,000,000 for libel/slander stuff. It's not clear to me if the family is asking for donations (or saying that they will need donations if Khalaji wins), but the court looks like they are allowing the law suit to be processed.
posted by quiet coyote at 5:51 PM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
It looks like Hossein/Hoder's Canadian lawyer is dropping his case because the courts won't let the lawyer speak to Hoder and pursue any kind of reasonable defense. The courts also will not let Hoder represent himself and are pursuing the sentencing without hearing any testimony. Seems like the family was just informing the public of this. They also said that Mehdi Khalaji (one of the journalists that Hoder posted about) is suing Hoder for $1,000,000 for libel/slander stuff. It's not clear to me if the family is asking for donations (or saying that they will need donations if Khalaji wins), but the court looks like they are allowing the law suit to be processed.
posted by quiet coyote at 5:51 PM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
I think $1,000,000 is more than metafilter can raise.
I often think about Hoder. I think he strikes a cord with me because he's imprisoned for his speech. I believe in free speech, but that doesn't mean that speech doesn't have consequences. It's too bad that in this case the consequences are so dire.
If there were a legal defense fund I'd donate what I could and make to plea for others to do so as well. I've thought of writing letters, etc., but in this case I think the last thing Hoder needs is an American in his corner.
posted by cjorgensen at 7:00 PM on January 27, 2011
I often think about Hoder. I think he strikes a cord with me because he's imprisoned for his speech. I believe in free speech, but that doesn't mean that speech doesn't have consequences. It's too bad that in this case the consequences are so dire.
If there were a legal defense fund I'd donate what I could and make to plea for others to do so as well. I've thought of writing letters, etc., but in this case I think the last thing Hoder needs is an American in his corner.
posted by cjorgensen at 7:00 PM on January 27, 2011
I can't believe there's not a MetaFilter Wiki page for Hoder yet. It'd be great if someone were to start one. There have been so many posts thus far (all appreciated, thank you) and I think having a shared space for it all would be both impressive and helpful.
posted by iamkimiam at 11:13 PM on January 27, 2011
posted by iamkimiam at 11:13 PM on January 27, 2011
iamkimiam: "I can't believe there's not a MetaFilter Wiki page for Hoder yet. It'd be great if someone were to start one. There have been so many posts thus far (all appreciated, thank you) and I think having a shared space for it all would be both impressive and helpful."
I can work on one later today.
posted by zarq at 5:33 AM on January 28, 2011
I can work on one later today.
posted by zarq at 5:33 AM on January 28, 2011
Ok, here's an initial page about Hoder, feel free to add or change it ya'll.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:49 AM on January 28, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:49 AM on January 28, 2011 [4 favorites]
And discovered the "FrenchMe" section on the wiki! and half a donut in the break room!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:16 AM on January 28, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:16 AM on January 28, 2011
I really really hate to say this, but it could be worse.
I thought of Hoder when I saw this a couple days ago:
And even before that,
One report I saw even claimed the Iranian Regime is doing all the executing now because evens in Tunisia and Egypt are getting all the international attention. So there is still a chance some "judge" could decide that his case is just too much bother and send him straight to the gallows. Chilling.
posted by oneswellfoop at 9:44 AM on January 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
I thought of Hoder when I saw this a couple days ago:
Iranian authorities have hanged two men convicted of taking part in protests following the disputed presidential election in 2009.
Iranian prosecutors said Jafar Kazemi and Mohammad Ali Hajaghaei had taken photos and footage of the protests and distributed them on the internet.
And even before that,
Iranian authorities have unleashed an "execution binge" with an average rate of one person hanged every eight hours since the beginning of the year, a rights group monitoring the Islamic Republic said Sunday (Jan. 14th).
One report I saw even claimed the Iranian Regime is doing all the executing now because evens in Tunisia and Egypt are getting all the international attention. So there is still a chance some "judge" could decide that his case is just too much bother and send him straight to the gallows. Chilling.
posted by oneswellfoop at 9:44 AM on January 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
Thank you for this information. I hate how depressed and impotent it makes me feel, but it is good to hear anything. Thinking of you, Hoder. Very often.
posted by bearwife at 10:30 AM on January 28, 2011
posted by bearwife at 10:30 AM on January 28, 2011
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posted by cashman at 4:20 PM on January 27, 2011